JP3964334B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transducer to an inspection target and receives and displays a reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal, and more particularly, a small ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that consumes less power. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultrasonic diagnosis is widely used in which an ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with an inspection site of an object, ultrasonic waves are irradiated, and an echo signal as a reflected wave is imaged to image the inside of the object. Since ultrasound is harmless to the living body, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is particularly useful for medical use, and is used for detecting foreign substances in the living body, determining the degree of trauma, observing a tumor, observing a fetus, and the like. .
[0003]
In recent years, there has been a demand for miniaturization and weight reduction of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. By configuring the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be small and light, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be easily carried is expected. The power supply part is particularly problematic in reducing the size and weight of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus requires a bias power source for the analog switch in addition to the transmission power source for the ultrasonic transducer, miniaturization of these power sources has been devised.
[0004]
As a conventional method for reducing the size of a power supply, there is a method of generating a transmission power supply from a bias power supply for an analog switch (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-306475 A [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described above has a problem that a large power loss occurs although the apparatus can be miniaturized by integrating the transmission power supply and the bias power supply.
[0007]
That is, since the bias power supply voltage needs to be larger than the transmission power supply voltage, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus obtains the transmission power supply from the bias power supply by a drop circuit (DC stabilized power supply circuit). It was configured as follows. However, in this configuration, when the voltage supplied from the transmission power source to the ultrasonic transducer is low, the voltage difference between the bias power source and the transmission power source increases, and a large power loss occurs.
[0008]
Due to the occurrence of such power loss, the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the ultrasonic transducer is driven by a battery has a problem that the use time is shortened and heat generation is increased.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a small-sized and low power consumption power source.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to the first aspect transmits an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transducer to an inspection object, and receives and displays a reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: an analog switch that switches an ultrasonic transducer that transmits the ultrasonic signal and receives the reflected wave; and a high voltage applied to a transmission circuit that drives the ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transducer And a bias power generation circuit that generates a bias power source for the analog switch from the transmission power source.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates the bias power from the transmission power used for transmitting the ultrasonic signal by the bias power generation circuit and supplies the bias power to the analog switch. The power supply can be downsized without providing an independent power supply for the bias voltage of the analog switch.
[0012]
The invention according to a second aspect is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the bias power generation circuit outputs a positive voltage value that is higher than a positive voltage value of the transmission power supply. A power supply generation circuit and a negative bias power supply generation circuit that outputs a voltage lower than a negative voltage value of the transmission power supply are provided.
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a voltage higher than the positive-side voltage value of the transmission power supply by the positive-side bias power supply circuit and transmits the voltage by the negative-side bias power supply circuit. Since a voltage lower than the voltage value on the negative side of the trusted power supply is generated, a sufficiently large bias voltage with respect to the transmission voltage can be obtained.
[0014]
The invention according to a third aspect is the invention according to the first or second aspect, wherein the positive side bias power generation circuit is a positive side charge pump circuit based on a positive side voltage of the transmission power source. The negative-side bias power generation circuit includes a negative-side charge pump circuit based on a negative-side voltage value of the transmission power source, and the bias-power generation circuit includes an output of the positive-side charge pump circuit. The output of the negative charge pump circuit is used as a bias power source for the analog switch.
[0015]
According to the invention relating to the third aspect, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a voltage higher than the positive voltage of the transmission power supply by the charge pump circuit based on the positive voltage of the transmission power supply. However, since the charge pump circuit based on the negative voltage of the transmitter power supply generates a voltage lower than the negative voltage of the transmitter power supply, the bias power supply for the analog switch can be configured with a simple configuration. In addition, the power consumption of the power source can be reduced. Therefore, the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be reduced in size and power consumption can be reduced.
[0016]
The invention according to the fourth aspect is the invention according to the first, second, or third aspect, further comprising a transmission voltage control unit that variably controls the voltage value of the transmission power supply. .
[0017]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can arbitrarily control the transmission voltage by the transmission voltage control unit and generates the bias voltage based on the transmission voltage. Power consumption can be minimized. Therefore, by applying the present invention to a battery-driven ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be used for a long time can be obtained.
[0018]
The invention according to the fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to the third or fourth aspect, the drive circuit for the charge pump is shared with the drive circuit in the transmission power source.
[0019]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by sharing the drive circuit, it is possible to achieve downsizing and high efficiency, which is suitable for a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
[0020]
The invention according to a sixth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the transmission power source is a stabilized power circuit that reduces a positive voltage value supplied to the transmission circuit, and the transmission A stabilized power supply circuit for increasing a negative voltage value supplied to the circuit is provided.
[0021]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can reduce noise in the transmission voltage by providing the voltage drop circuit in the transmission power supply.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is connected to a monitor 2, a control unit 3 and an ultrasonic probe 18. Here, the monitor 2 can be any monitor such as a CRT monitor or a liquid crystal monitor. The control unit 3 may be a general-purpose input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, or may be provided with a dedicated console panel.
[0024]
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a power supply unit 13, an analog switch 16, and a transmission / reception beam former 17. Further, the power supply unit 13 includes a transmission power supply 14 and a bias power supply 15 therein.
[0025]
When making a diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, first, the transmission power source ± HV 1 is supplied from the transmission power source 14 to the transmission / reception beam former 17. The transmission / reception beam former 17 transmits an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transducer inside the ultrasonic probe 18 connected via the analog switch 16 and the connection cable 19 using the transmission power source ± HV1. Thereafter, the ultrasonic transducer receives the reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic signal and inputs it to the transmission / reception beamformer via the connection cable 19 and the analog switch 16.
[0026]
The transmission / reception beamformer 17 transmits the input reflected wave to the image processing unit 12, and the image processing unit 12 creates an ultrasonic image based on the reflected wave. Thereafter, the control unit 11 displays the ultrasonic image created by the image processing unit 12 on the monitor 2 based on the input from the control unit 3.
[0027]
The analog switch 16 switches the ultrasonic transducer connected to the transmission / reception beam former 17. Since the ultrasonic transducer that transmits the ultrasonic signal is selected by the switching by the analog switch 16, the inspection range can be scanned by switching the analog switch 16 at any time.
[0028]
FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the analog switch 16. As shown in the figure, the analog switch 16 includes a plurality of switches 16a therein. For example, when the transmission / reception beamformer 17 has 63 channels and the ultrasonic probe 18 has 124 ultrasonic transducers, the analog switch 16 has 124 switches 16a. The analog switch 16 selects an ultrasonic transducer to be connected to the transmission / reception beamformer 17 depending on which of the switches 16a is turned on. Further, the analog switch 16 changes the ultrasonic transducer that transmits the ultrasonic signal by changing the switch 16a to be turned on, and realizes ultrasonic scanning.
[0029]
Incidentally, the bias power supply 15 supplies the bias voltage ± HV2 to the analog switch 16. The bias voltage ± HV2 is desirably 10V to 20V higher than the transmission voltage ± HV1 output from the transmission power supply 14 in the vertical direction. For example, when the transmission voltage ± HV1 is −100 V to +100 V, the bias voltage ± HV2 is set to −120 V to +120 V.
[0030]
The reason why the amplitude width of the bias voltage ± HV2 is made larger than the amplitude width of the transmission voltage ± HV1 in this way is to prevent an increase in the on-resistance of the analog switch 16 due to a decrease in the bias voltage.
[0031]
Next, a specific configuration of the power supply unit 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the power supply unit 13 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the power supply unit 13 connects the charge pump circuit 50 and the charge pump circuit 60 to the transmission power supply 14, and uses the outputs of the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 as the bias power supply 15.
[0032]
Specifically, the transmission power supply 14 forms a regulator circuit with capacitors 31, 38, 40, diodes 33, 37, 39, a resistor 32, and coils 34, 35, 36, and a transmission voltage ± HV1 from the DC power supply V1. Is output.
[0033]
Further, the transmission power supply 14 is controlled by a transistor 42, a SW power supply control IC 41, a resistor 43, and a feedback circuit 44. More specifically, the transmission voltage + HV1 and the comparison voltage V3 are input to the feedback circuit 44, and the feedback circuit 44 inputs the transmission voltage + HV1 and the comparison voltage V3 to the SW power supply control IC 41.
[0034]
On the other hand, the SW power supply control IC 41 controls the operation of the regulator circuit by performing switching control of the transistor 42. At this time, by controlling the transistor 42 such that the transmission voltage + HV1 input from the feedback circuit 44 is a constant multiple of the comparison voltage V3, the transmission voltage ± HV1 can be controlled to a desired value. Thus, by making the value of the transmission voltage controllable, it becomes possible to adjust the output of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to an optimal value.
[0035]
The charge pump circuit 50 is formed by capacitors 51 and 54 and diodes 52 and 53. The charge pump circuit 50 is connected to a point A between the regulator circuit and the transistor 42 and is driven by the regulator circuit, so that a voltage higher than the transmission voltage + HV1 is set as a positive bias voltage + HV2. Output.
[0036]
Similarly, the charge pump circuit 60 is formed by capacitors 61 and 64 and diodes 62 and 63. The charge pump circuit 60 is connected to a point A between the regulator circuit and the transistor 42, and is driven by the regulator circuit, so that a voltage lower than the transmission voltage -HV1 is applied to the negative bias voltage-. Output as HV2.
[0037]
As described above, the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 are added to the transmission power supply 14 and the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 are driven by the regulator inside the transmission power supply 14, which is higher than the transmission voltage + HV1. The bias voltage + HV2 and the lower bias voltage -HV2 than the transmission voltage -HV1 can be obtained.
[0038]
Here, the bias voltage + HV2 is desirably 10V to 20V higher than the transmission voltage + HV1, and the bias voltage -HV2 is desirably 10V to 20V lower than the transmission voltage -HV1. Therefore, when a desired bias voltage cannot be obtained with a single-stage charge pump circuit for the transmission voltage ± HV1, a multistage configuration in which a charge pump circuit is further connected to the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 may be used.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of a multi-stage power supply unit 13 in which a charge pump circuit is further connected to the charge pump circuit. In the power supply unit shown in FIG. 4, a charge pump circuit 55 is further connected to the charge pump circuit 50, and a charge pump circuit 65 is further connected to the charge pump circuit 60.
[0040]
Specifically, the charge pump circuit 55 is formed by a capacitor 56 and diodes 57 and 58, and outputs a voltage higher than the bias voltage + HV2 as a positive bias voltage + HV3. The charge pump circuit 65 is formed by a capacitor 66 and diodes 67 and 68, and outputs a voltage lower than the bias voltage -HV2 as a negative bias voltage -HV3.
[0041]
In this way, by using a multi-stage charge pump in which a charge pump circuit is further connected to the charge pump circuit, the positive bias voltage is raised to a desired value and the negative bias voltage is raised to a desired value. Can be lowered.
[0042]
In FIG. 4, the charge pump has a two-stage structure, but a charge pump circuit may be further added as necessary. In FIG. 4, the bias voltage ± HV2 output from the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 and the bias voltage ± HV3 output from the charge pump circuits 55 and 65 are output.
[0043]
Therefore, in the power supply circuit shown in FIG. 4, either ± HV2 or ± HV3 can be used as the bias voltage depending on the required voltage. The selection of the bias voltage may be realized by any switching means such as a switch. Further, when the value of ± HV3 is always used as the bias voltage, there is no need to provide switching means or an output terminal of ± HV2.
[0044]
In the power supply circuit shown in FIG. 3, the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 are connected to the point A between the regulator and the transistor. However, the connection position of the charge pump is not limited to this point A. .
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the power supply circuit. In the figure, the charge pump circuit 50 is connected to a point B between the coil 35 and the diode 37 of the transmission power supply 14. Further, the charge pump circuit 60 is connected to a point C between the coil 35 and the diode 39 of the transmission power source 14.
[0046]
Even when the charge pump circuit 50 is connected to the point B, the output + HV2 is sufficiently higher than the transmission voltage + HV. Even when the charge pump circuit 60 is connected to the point C, the output −HV2 is sufficiently lower than the transmission voltage −HV1. Therefore, the point to which the charge pump circuits 50 and 60 are connected can be freely designed in consideration of the configuration of the entire circuit.
[0047]
Next, the output of the transmission power supply 14 will be described. Since the transmission voltage ± HV1 output from the transmission power supply 14 is supplied to the ultrasonic transducer and used to transmit an ultrasonic signal, noise removal in the transmission voltage ± HV1 is important. In order to remove noise from the transmission voltage ± HV1, a voltage drop circuit and a filter circuit are required.
[0048]
FIG. 6 shows a circuit example used for noise removal of the transmission power supply 14. FIG. 6A shows a circuit configuration when a voltage drop circuit is used as the noise removal circuit. As shown in the figure, the voltage drop circuit 70 includes a transistor 71 and a feedback circuit 72. The feedback circuit 72 performs switching control of the transistor 71 with reference to the voltage V4, reduces the value of the voltage + HV1 by a predetermined amount, and outputs the voltage + HV1a. A similar voltage drop circuit is connected to the voltage -HV1, and the value of the voltage -HV1 is increased by a predetermined amount to output the voltage -HV1a.
[0049]
By supplying the voltage + HV1a and the voltage -HV1a to the transmission / reception beamformer 17, it is possible to perform power supply with less noise than when the voltage ± HV1 is supplied. The difference between the voltage + HV1 and the voltage + HV1a is preferably about 3V.
[0050]
FIG. 6B shows a circuit configuration when a filter circuit is used as the noise removal circuit. As shown in the figure, the filter circuit 75 includes a coil 76 and a capacitor 77. The filter circuit 75 outputs a voltage + HV1b obtained by removing noise of a predetermined frequency from the voltage + HV1. A similar filter circuit is connected to the voltage -HV1, and a voltage -HVb obtained by removing noise of a predetermined frequency from the voltage -HV1 is output.
[0051]
By supplying the voltage + HV1b and the voltage −HV1b to the transmission / reception beamformer 17, it is possible to perform power supply with less noise than when the voltage ± HV1 is supplied. Note that the frequency of noise removed by the filter circuit is determined by the coil 76 and the capacitor 77.
[0052]
As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the charge pump circuit is connected to the transmission power supply for supplying to the transmission / reception beam former 17, and the output of the charge pump circuit is used as the bias power supply for the analog switch. Therefore, the power supply unit can be reduced in size and power consumption can be reduced.
[0053]
In addition, since the charge pump circuit for generating the positive bias voltage and the charge pump circuit for generating the negative bias voltage can be realized by two capacitors and two diodes, respectively, it is inexpensive with a simple configuration. A power supply unit can be constructed. The drive circuit of the charge pump may be provided independently, but the output from the switching drive circuit in the transmission power source can be used. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a circuit design with a high degree of freedom by changing the connection point between the charge pump and the transmission power source by changing the multistage configuration of the charge pump.
[0054]
In addition, since the amount of heat generated from the power supply unit can be reduced by reducing the power consumption, a large-scale cooling means is not required. When the heat generation amount of the power supply unit is large, a cooling means such as forced air cooling is necessary. However, since the cooling means is not necessary, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be further downsized.
[0055]
Thus, in addition to miniaturization and low power consumption of the power supply unit itself, the cooling means is unnecessary, so the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be miniaturized and the operation time by the battery can be extended. A possible small ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be realized.
[0056]
In the present embodiment, the analog switch 16 is provided inside the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. However, the analog switch is not limited in the place where the analog switch is placed, such as when the analog switch is provided inside the ultrasonic probe. The present invention can be used.
[0057]
In the present invention, a charge pump circuit is used. This is because the capacitor used in the charge pump is smaller and cheaper than a small transformer. However, the basic effect of the present invention can also be obtained by configuring a bias power source from a transmission power source using a small transformer.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the charge pump circuit is connected to the transmission power source that generates the voltage to be supplied to the ultrasonic transducer, and the output of the charge pump circuit is used as the bias power source for the analog switch. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the power supply unit is reduced in size and power consumption is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the analog switch shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a power supply unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power supply unit having a multi-stage charge pump circuit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the power supply circuit shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a noise removal circuit used for a transmission power supply.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Monitor 3 Control unit 11 Control part 12 Image processing part 13 Power supply part 14 Transmission power supply 15 Bias power supply 16 Analog switch 16a Switch 17 Transmission / reception beam former 18 Ultrasonic probe 19 Connection cables 31, 38, 40, 51, 54, 56, 61, 64, 66, 77 Capacitor 33, 37, 39, 52, 53, 57, 58, 62, 63, 67, 68 Diode 32, 43 Resistor 34, 35, 36, 76 Coil 50, 60 Charge pump circuit 41 SW power supply control IC
42, 71 Transistors 44, 72 Feedback circuit 70 Drop circuit 75 Filter circuit HV1, HV1a, HV1b Transmission voltage HV2, HV3 Bias voltage

Claims (4)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transducer to an inspection target and receives and displays a reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal,
An analog switch for switching an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting the ultrasonic signal and receiving the reflected wave;
A transmission power source for supplying a high voltage to a transmission circuit for driving the ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transducer;
A bias power generation circuit that generates a bias power for the analog switch from the transmission power;
The transmission power source includes a first coil on the primary side, a second coil and a third coil on the secondary side, and one end connected in series with one end of the first coil, and the other end is grounded. And one end of each of the second coil and the third coil is grounded, and one end of each of the second coil and the third coil is in series with and opposite to the other end. A first diode and a second diode connected to each other; a second terminal connected between the other end of the first diode and the second diode and one end of the second coil and the third coil; A first capacitor and a second capacitor, which converts the primary DC power supply voltage (V1) supplied to the other end of the first coil and appears between both ends of the first capacitor. A first transmission voltage (+ HV1) and the Second transmission voltage appearing across the second capacitor (-HV1) supplied,
The bias power supply generation circuit generates a first bias voltage (+ HV2) higher than the first transmission voltage (+ HV1) by a first charge pump circuit, and the second charge pump circuit generates the second bias voltage. Generating a second bias voltage (-HV2) lower than the transmission voltage (-HV1). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The transmission power supply is connected in parallel between a third diode in which one end of the first coil and an anode are connected, and a cathode of the third diode and the other end of the first coil, respectively. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, further comprising a resistor and a third capacitor. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprising a controller that controls the transistor so that the first transmission voltage (+ HV1) is a constant multiple of the comparison voltage (V3). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The bias power generation circuit generates a third bias voltage (+ HV3) higher than the first bias voltage (+ HV2) by a third charge pump circuit provided in addition to the first charge pump circuit. A fourth bias voltage (-HV3) lower than the second bias voltage (-HV2) is generated by a fourth charge pump circuit provided in addition to the second charge pump circuit. Ultrasound diagnostic device.

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